Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Ardbeg
£123
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£113
| Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) | Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Talisker |
| Region | Islay | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.8% | 57.3% |
| Age | 13 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £123.24 | £112.5 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Quick verdict
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is better value at £113 vs £123.
For beginners: Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£123.24 vs £112.5)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Only Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)